Liverpool star Trent Alexander Arnold has been backed by former Reds striker Peter Crouch after he defended Harry Kane’s form for England at Euro 2024.

The Bayern Munich forward has struggled to hit the heights expected of him coming into the tournament after scoring 44 times in his maiden campaign in the Bundesliga. The Three Lions have made the semi-finals of the tournament in Germany but have faced criticism in some quarters for their performances up to this point in the championships.

Team captain Kane has scored two of his country’s five goals as many outings at the Euros but the impact of back-up striker Ivan Toney from the bench in recent games has led to some calls for Gareth Southgate to drop his skipper. However, Anfield hero Alexander-Arnold appeared to hit out at the ex-Tottenham ace’s critics after England’s win over Switzerland in the last eight.

With Kane watching on after being withdrawn in extra time, the Reds right-back dispatched of the winning penalty on the night to earn his country a semi-final date with the Netherlands. Still, Alexander-Arnold was convinced that his international captain should remain in the team for their next clash, saying: “Anyone who is facing England would like to see Harry Kane not playing.

“You just know he is a threat. Anything in and around the box, you need to be on red alert. He can finish it from any angle,” he said, as he outlined the striker’s credentials. “I always say he is the best finisher I have seen or played with. He can find the back of the net from anywhere. He can drop down and build play up and his hold up play is incredible, too. All round, a fantastic player.”

“I think we are talking about England’s record goalscorer so that is as big as anything you can say about him. He scores goals, he is a striker, he scored two in the tournament, helped us win games and then as our captain, as our leader, he is someone who leads by example.

Former Reds ace Crouch also appeared to be in full agreement with Alexander-Arnold’s charitable words about his fellow ex-Spurs forward. Addressing Kane’s performances at the Euros, he said to Paddy Power: “Harry Kane hasn’t looked himself in the tournament. He’s been so good for England over the years, and even this last season at Bayern Munich he’s scored 40-odd goals, but he’s been anonymous at times in this competition.

“You do just feel with someone like that that they’re a killer in the box – if you get one chance, you still want it to fall to him. I mean, he’s Harry Kane and if he creates that one moment, he will score.

The former Anfield cult hero added: “Sometimes I feel like there is a lack of respect for what he’s done. He’s England’s record goal scorer of all-time. And it’s not like he’s off playing in Saudi Arabia like Cristiano Ronaldo, for example – he’s just scored a load of goals for one of the biggest clubs in the world last season.

“I’m not going to get away from the fact that he’s been anonymous in some of the games, and he’s not played as well as others, but I’d still stick with him, and I think he’ll score on Wednesday night.”